Kazan TSUM to Feature Chulpy and Ornaments After Renovation

Elena Valeeva, chief architect of «Tatinvestgrazhdanproekt» (TatInvestCivilProject), published renderings on her Telegram channel showing how the main hall of TSUM will look after reconstruction.

At the entrance, guests will be greeted by a traditional Tatar ornament in stone, and inside the building, similar compositions with wood patterns will be placed. The most striking part of the interior in the main hall, which immediately catches the eye, is the shiny decorative lights in the form of traditional patterns hanging from the ceiling.

«The center of the composition is a kinetic sculpture. According to the concept (by me, Laysan Sosunova, and Masha Markelova), elements of Tatar ornament should slowly and alternately descend and ascend. In the frames, you see the composition in its lower position. Tatar music plays, large elements descend smoothly, and their freely hanging brass ends will tremble and sway, like chulpy on braids (as Tatars call hair ornaments — ed.), delicately glinting here and there,» explained Valeeva.

After the update, TSUM will no longer stand for Central Universal Store, but for Center of Unique Craftsmanship. Hence, so many references to crafts in the interior.

The large-scale project will be implemented «quite soon,» stated Valeeva.

In June 2025, the TSUM reconstruction project received approval from the head of Tatarstan, Rustam Minnikhanov. Kazan residents were shown what the building will look like from the outside. TSUM plans to house not only retail spaces but also workshops with production areas.

In May 2025, special equipment was spotted near TSUM. In response to residents« concerns, the chief architect said that the building is not being demolished; workers are only dismantling worn-out structures.